Photographer's Note

The Palace of Charles V is a Renaissance building in Granada, southern Spain, located on the top of the hill of the Assabica, inside the Nasrid fortification of the Alhambra: in fact part of the Nasrid palace was destroyed to make way for this new building. The structure was commissioned by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who wished to establish his residence close to the Alhambra palaces. Although the Catholic Monarchs had already altered some rooms of the Alhambra after the conquest of the city in 1492, Charles V intended to construct a permanent residence befitting an emperor. The plan of the palace is a 17-metre (56 ft) high, 63-metre (207 ft) square containing an inner circular patio. This has no precedent in Renaissance architecture, and places the building in the avant-garde of its time. But the building has never been a home to a monarch and stood roofless until 1957.

I was attracted by the play of light and shade on the circular structure of the patio, and I chose monochrome to emphasise this. I'm now wondering if the architect, Pedro Machuca, designed the patio with this in mind, knowing that the sun would created a moving geometric pattern within the courtyard.

Hello Will,
Beautifully atmospheric composition perfectly suited to the black and white treatment. The pair of visitors are well placed in the frame as if caught in a stage spotlight. The image has a good range of tones and excellent sharpness.
Thanks for commenting on my offering. To the best of my knowledge it was taken around four in the afternoon; this area of the city is slightly off the beaten track - most tourists congregate around the cathedral where they are deposited by their tour guides.

Hello Will,
What an unusual palace. Just looking quickly at the photo I thought it was an arena for bull fighting and maybe a huge spotlight aimed at the place where the matador killed the bull. Looking closely I didn't see a bull, and no excited audience, and then I read the title and the note. I couldn't believe the architect didn't plan the dramatic effect of the light moving around the rotunda. People were smart already hundreds of years ago ;-). It's a stunning photo and I am sure the play of light and shade is at its best in B&W.
Kind regards,
Gert

As Gert already noted, the architect was was very clever ad far-seeing to make a such a good playground for photographers especially for BW fans. :) The two people were also nice enough to stand just in the right place for your photo, which is a real fine-art. I added it to my favourites.

Hi Will,fantastic work from this palace of La Alhambra! You played in a great way with lights and shadows and the circular perspective too is a winner,absolutely a professional shot! Thanks for share and for the useful WS too. Have a nice week! Luciano

Hi Will
Nice to hear from you! I have been visiting TE on and off and looks like so have you so our TE paths rarely crossed in the recent months... ;-)
Perfect time of the day to photograph this oval of light and great timing to capture the two people in just the right place. Almost makes me wonder if you asked them to stand there. The whole thing looks like an enormous stage with actors in the limelight. Black and white works so well indeed to show the shapes and the contrast.
Best wishes
Kasia

This shot was taken at a perfect time, when the shadows were encroaching across the patio and creating a glorious, circular spotlight to emphasise the surrounding shapes and highlight the rows of repeating pillars. The figures are well placed as a focal point; had they been facing forward, we could easily have believed they were about to perform an operatic duet!

Hello Will,
Gorgeous photo of this circular courtyard. The columns add a great repetition in the background and the lights and shadows are amazing. The people are well included exactly in the centre of the lit part too.
Lars

Hi Will
Excellent POV with the curves, repetitive verticals and lovely shadow and shades from dark to light focusing towards the center of the image. The presence of the people give a good sense of scale and liveliness. Detail are abound throughout and good technical quality, a shot which is aptly converted to mono effect. Timeless capture, Congrats
Best regards

Hi Will
as i've missed the last few photos in your gallery, I also wanted to get to this one.

one of your best shots. this is A+ all the way.
what an impact 2 small people can make in a large architecture scene. the shadows, the pillars, the circular motions on the ground and with the levels and roof, its such a pleasing visual. well done my friend.
cheers
craig

How have you made this aerial view? Have you used a drone? Beautiful picture from this amazing construction, you were lucky that there is this couple of visitors and only they with no more tourists. Beautiful play of light and shadow, well used black and white. I am sure that the artist must be aware of this lights and shadows, it is striking effect when you are there.